Dentists help maintain our oral health and fix problems when something goes wrong. Everyone understands this, but they may not understand more specific details about the practice of dentistry. This video helps break down some of the most common misconceptions about dentistry.
The first myth is that cavities are irreversible. Some cavities are indeed reversible; it depends on the depth of the cavity. If the cavity is just in the enamel, it is technically reversible. If a filling is required, that means the cavity is irreversible.
Another myth is that acidic teeth will whiten your smile. The acid will actually erode your teeth. It does burn off some yellow materials, but it weakens the teeth in the longterm. You can get in-office whitening done and there are at-home whitening kits you can use, instead.
Braces are also not just for crooked teeth. If the teeth aren’t crooked but there are other spacing or bite issues, the braces can provide functional benefits that will increase the health and longevity of the teeth.
Another myth is that a knocked out tooth is gone for good. However, a knocked out tooth is not a dead tooth. If it’s re-implanted within an hour then it can heal. If you can’t get to the dentist in that time, put the tooth in whole milk to preserve its life.
For more information, check out the video above.